State Tribal Economic Development Commission (STEDC)
Approximately one out of every fourteen Montanans is living on one of our seven reservations in Montana. Reservation unemployment, poverty, school dropout rates, and welfare levels are significantly higher than the Montana average. Basic infrastructure on our reservations must be improved. All Montanans are significantly impacted by the economies of their neighboring reservations. Improving the economies of reservations means improving the economy for all of Montana.
In 1999, the Montana Legislature passed HB 670, which established the State Tribal Economic Development Commission (STEDC). This commission is tasked with conducting a comprehensive assessment of the economic needs and priorities of each Reservation and providing recommendations for accelerating economic development on these Reservations. It is important that the STEDC work continues and the recommendations of this commission are supported.
Goal:
Work with Native Americans to expand economic development opportunities on each of the seven Reservations in partnership with tribal governments and the federal government.
